1992 7-Up Uncolas season explained

Pbayear:1992
Team:7-Up Uncolas
Coach:Derrick Pumaren
1C-Name:First Conference
1C-Wins:4
1C-Losses:7
1C-Place:7th
1C-Playoffs:Eliminated
2C-Name:All-Filipino Conference
2C-Wins:12
2C-Losses:10
2C-Place:4th
2C-Playoffs:Semifinals
No-3C:1
3C-Name:Third Conference
3C-Wins:13
3C-Losses:11
3C-Place:2nd
3C-Playoffs:Finals
Owners:Pepsi Philippines
Manager:Steve Watson
Prevseason:1991
Nextseason:1993

The 1992 7-Up Uncolas season was the third season of the franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). Known as Pepsi Hotshots in the First Conference.

Notable dates

March 7: Kenny Redfield, who was originally a replacement import for Presto's Derwin Collins, debuted with 39 points and 24 rebounds that gave the Bottlers a 110-105 win over Ginebra San Miguel in the out-of-town game in Lucena City. It was the first win in seven games for the Bottlers with Redfield replacing Mark Stevenson after Pepsi lost their first six outings in the First Conference. [1]

July 14: Seven-Up ripped Alaska Milk, 95-77, for their sixth win in 10 games in the All-Filipino Conference as the Bottlers makes it to the semifinal round for only the second time in their franchise history. [2]

July 26: The Bottlers ended the seven-game winning streak of league-leading Purefoods TJ Hotdogs in a 112-99 victory and improved their standings to eight wins and four losses. [3]

July 28: Seven-Up turned back Swift Mighty Meaties, 108-99, for their third straight win in the semifinals of the All-Filipino Conference and moved within reach of a possible first-ever finals appearance. [4]

August 9: Eugene Quilban made an all-time record 28 assists in Seven-Up's 123-100 win over Shell.

December 3: Seven-Up reached the finals for the first time in three years of participation, defeating San Miguel Beermen, 102-91, for the right to play Swift Mighty Meaties for the Third Conference title. [5]

Occurrences

On December 1, which was the last scheduled semifinal double-header of the Third Conference, 7-Up won over Swift in a high-scoring contest, 156-154. The Bottlers' victory ousted crowd-favorite Ginebra San Miguel from the finals race. Had Swift, which already clinch the first finals seat, won in that first game, a Ginebra victory over San Miguel Beermen in the second game would have assured the Ginebras a playoff for one of the two finals berth. PBA Commissioner Rey Marquez fined both the Mighty Meaties and Bottlers P100,000 for their players' unusual conduct in that game. [6]

First finals stint

In the Third Conference, 7-Up's original choice for their import Melvin Newbern played three games and led his team to one victory. Newbern put in numbers of 51, 70 and 59 points for an average of 60 points per game and despite that, players voted in favor of a replacement and coming in is Delano Demps.

The Bottlers made it to the championship round for the first time in their franchise history and will go up against the Swift Mighty Meaties after winning over San Miguel Beermen in their playoff game on December 3. Seven-Up got swept in four games by a much stronger Swift squad led by their super import Tony Harris and became the second team to lose in the finals series via four-game sweep.

See main article: 1992 PBA Third Conference finals.

Transactions

Trades

Off season
To Alaska
Gilbert Reyes
To Pepsi
Eugene Quilban
Off-season
To Shell
Leo Isaac
To Pepsi
Leo Austria

Additions

Player Signed Former team
Peter Aguilar Off-season Alaska
Nap Hatton Off-season Alaska
Off-season Shell

Recruited imports

NameConferenceNo.Pos.Ht.CollegeDuration
First Conference24Forward6"5'February 11 to March 1
35Forward6"5'Michigan StateMarch 7-22
Third Conference20Guard-Forward6"3'University of MinnesotaSeptember 22-29
5Guard-Forward6"3'University of the PacificOctober 6 to December 13

Notes and References

  1. News: Redfield powers Pepsi to first win. Manila Standard.
  2. News: 7-Up storms into semifinals. Manila Standard.
  3. News: Seven-Up pricks Purefoods bubble. Manila Standard.
  4. News: Seven-Up may well be the PBA's dream team. Manila Standard.
  5. News: First title shot ever for 7-Up. Manila Standard.
  6. News: 7-Up protests P 100,000 fine. Manila Standard.